Our 2017 Feed Your Mind Gala was a huge success thanks to the efforts of our sponsors, donors, and all who attended the event. We were able to raise $425,000, a 51% increase from last years event.

A New experience

In 2017, we created a seated dinner experience with the best chefs of Chicago. In all, 23 chefs and their restaurants participated in dinner, providing a one of a kind experience for our guests. Our chefs were not the only ones impressing, as our sponsors took center stage at the welcome reception. Fresh Thyme created an in house market where our guests created their own trail mixes, culinary focused flower arrangements, and even had a kombucha bar for guests to sample. Simple Mills crackers we’re topped with chef-driven spreads to create exciting flavors and get guests ready for their multi course meal.

The Main Event

Following the welcome reception, our guests were ushered into the main dinner space where our chefs plated dishes table side and interacted with all. The result was an intimate evening, with dishes that greatly exceeded expectations from the likes of Grant Achatz, Rick Bayless, Sarah Grueneberg, and of course our founding chefs Paul Kahan, Jason Hammel, and Matthias Merges.

29

chef participants from top chicago restaurants

$425,000

raised to benefit Pilot Light, in a record-breaking year

400

guests in attendance at our first year in revel fulton market

An auction like none other

Dinner concluded with an energetic live auction, packed with priceless packages like a trip with our founding chefs to the Willamette Valley for invite only wine tours and dinners to an exclusive day at Wrigley Field where the winners will get exclusive access to the new Big Star and Mordecai, sit in a Cubs Box and throw out the first pitch.

A sweet reception

After the meal guests were welcomed into a dessert reception, showcasing the finest pastry chefs Chicago has to offer, including Mindy Segal, Leigh Omilinsky, Dana Cree, Sandra Holl and more. Following the reception, all were welcomed to the after party at the Ace Hotel where high end late night bites were served and a DJ spun tunes.